Image source, Rex Features

That's your lot from us on another dramatic afternoon in the second tier.

Leicester stayed top thanks to a 2-1 win at Watford and second-placed Southampton battled back from 2-0 down to eventually beat Huddersfield 5-3 and extend their unbeaten run to 25 games in all competitions.

Third placed Leeds hammered Rotherham 3-0 and Blackburn picked up a 3-1 home win over ailing Stoke in front of new boss John Eustace.

We'll be back with more EFL live text action from 11:45 on Sunday when play-off chasing Coventry host Millwall.

Thanks for your company today.

Cheers!

Southampton boss Russell Martin has nothing but praise for the character of his team after extending their record unbeaten streak with a thrilling 5-3 win against Huddersfield.

"I’m proud of the players, I’m proud of the supporters. That was a big test for us today," Martin told Radio Solent.

"[Huddersfield] came here with nothing to lose, so much energy, just freedom.

"We were really lacking in energy and intensity. We didn’t cope with that very well.

"I saw some stuff I haven’t seen for a long time - they showed they had the character to come back."

Martin's substitutions proved game-changing, with half-time substitute Joe Rothwell providing an immediate impact with two stellar goals.

"The subs had a huge impact. Joe Rothwell was immense, David Brooks - the amount of quality he has. I’m really delighted for all of them," Martin continued.

"[Rothwell's] a really great character. I’m delighted for him, that’s why we wanted him so badly, and I think he’s going to be a big player for us."

Though Martin takes no credit for the win, acknowledging the whole team for the impressive turn around.

"The guys at the back, the ones who started the game - they stood up. If they don’t show that, and they go under, it’s a very different afternoon," he added.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke was happy that his side secured an expected three points over bottom side Rotherham, but felt it could and should have been more.

Their 12th home win of the campaign keeps them within a point of second-placed Southampton and right in the mix for automatic promotion.

There was plenty of debate about Patrick Bamford's early opener, but Farke felt his side were perhaps due a bit of luck.

“It could have been a tennis score with the chances we created, but you have to respect Rotherham for fighting until the end," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

"They never gave up and they had a few set pieces in the final 10 minutes. So we are happy with the 3-0.

“If Patrick’s goal was a handball then it probably should not have stood, but these things do even themselves our over the course of a season.

"It can sometimes be more important if it was a match-winning goal, but today we created so many chances and we scored more goals. I don’t think it would have made a difference to the result if it was disallowed.

“I was happy with the manner in which we scored and created the chances, and we could have scored more.

"But it’s important that we also came back to the dressing room with a clean sheet. Sometimes when you have this level of dominance you can get carried away and lose your discipline, and we didn’t any point today.”

Bristol City boss Liam Manning praised his much-changed side for securing their first league win of 2024 just days after coming through 120 minutes of FA Cup action.

The Robins went down on penalties at Premier League opponents Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, but bounced back with a first Championship win since Boxing Day.

Manning made six changes from that fourth round replay as they hit the road again for the long trip to Teesside.

“The fact we found a way to win in a variety of ways is something to learn from," he said.

"I made two changes early second half, too, because I felt energy was going to be important.

“We played 120 minutes on Wednesday, plus the travel, it has been a relentless programme for us. We came here with no excuses and you have to max out. I enjoyed it.

“The first-half plan worked. The players did a terrific job in implementing it.

“We knew they would have a lot of possession and we were happy to give them it in front of us. We did an excellent job of counter attacking."

Image source, Rex Features

Southampton midfielder Joe Rothwell's brace created the spark for the Saints to battle back against a tenacious Huddersfield to win 5-3.

The 29-year-old told Radio Solent that his 49th minute goal gave the team "a massive lift".

"If there's ever a good time to score its straight after kick-off," he said.

"As soon as I hit it, I knew it was going in. I've not seen it back yet but I'm sure I'll have it on replay a few times tonight."

It was an uphill battle for Southampton after a sluggish first half, with Rothwell admitting it could have been a more desperate situation at the first half whistle.

"[Huddersfield] fully deserved their lead at half time, it could have been more than two. These are the games that will mean the most," Rothwell said.

"Everyone was half a yard shorter than we should have been.

"We had to adjust a few things in the second half and had to show what we've got, really."

He added: "We felt like we had a chance of getting the three points, the subs that came on made a difference for us."

"These are the types of games where you look back and think this was massive. Hopefully, if we do get promoted this season, these could have been the three points that did it."

Image source, Getty Images

QPR achieved a morale-boosting 2-2 draw with play-off chasing Norwich which boosted their survival push.

Boss Marti Cifuentes knows how important that point could be come the end of the season.

“To talk about what is fair or not in football is relative but we played against a very good team and managed a very good performance in the first half," Cifuentes told BBC Radio London.

“In the second half the goal we conceded was a game-changer and in my opinion probably offside, with the player just in front of the keeper, but we should have done better from that corner-kick.

“The atmosphere we are creating here with the supporters, and with the players believing what we are doing, will be massive until the end of the season."

Norwich City missed out on the chance to move level on points with sixth-placed Sunderland as they were held to a 2-2 draw at QPR.

Boss David Wagner said his team were made to pay for conceding a "sloppy goal".

“Performance-wise there were a lot of good things but our biggest challenge today was to stay calm and not get involved in emotions," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

“The players played some good football, put a shift in, came from behind and got the lead, but then unfortunately conceded a very sloppy goal and didn’t use a great opportunity from (Ashley Barnes) for a third goal as well.

“Jonny Rowe looks like has a hamstring injury. He trained two sessions last week and that was enough for me to get him in the matchday squad and he got his 30 minutes, but unfortunately with a hamstring injury.

“We maybe have to make a scan in the next few days but we have to makes sure he comes back as soon as he can.”

Martin Fisher
Final Score

Image source, Getty Images

There were angry scenes on the final whistle as Stoke fans jeered some of their players as they went to clap them on the final whistle.

More than 3,000 had made the journey but saw their team suffer their fourth consecutive defeat, after conceding three goals inside a hapless 37 minutes.

Image source, Getty Images

Preston boss Ryan Lowe was happy with his side's performance in their 2-0 win away at Cardiff, making it two wins in a row for the Lilywhites.

Emil Riis scored his first goal since September 2022 while Mads Frokjaer assisted both goals in the victory.

"For the first 15 minutes we gave the ball away a little bit but once we got control of the game I thought we were fantastic," Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We were excellent in the second half and we went out with a real desire.

"We've all been waiting for Emil to come back, He looked strong physically. His teammates are pleased for him but we know we can get players into those areas and we've got good strikers who can score goals.

"The build-up to it was fantastic. I'm really pleased for him. There's been some great play by Mads, the goals are the goals, we work on those with the patterns of play in the week.

"Credit to the boys they've been excellent and we want to keep that going."

Image source, Rex Features

Huddersfield caretaker Jon Worthington was impressed with his side's showing in their 5-3 defeat at Southampton.

The struggling Terriers led 2-0 at half-time against the second-placed Saints.

"I hate losing football matches and the players do as well but I've said we take the positives," he told BBC Radio Leeds

"I was proud of their efforts throughout, they followed the gameplan to a tee but Southampton are a real quality side and just came strong at the end.

"I said to the players earlier in the week that the last thing I wanted to do was sit here in a low block and get beaten 2-0. The plan was to get after them at the right times and we did.

"A couple of their goals were worldies and sometimes you have to hold your hands up to sheer quality and they ultimately showed the level of their squad."

Marc Webber
Final Score

Image source, PA Media

Not as comfortable as recent Leicester performances, but they’ve kept their comfortable cushion at the top of the league and celebrated that with their fans afterwards.

Watford made it interesting and it’s surprising their only goal came from a Harry Winks howler - when he passed the ball in his own area to Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis to score easily.

Image source, Rex Features

Joe Gibney: Birmingham City three points off the relegation zone. Meanwhile John Eustace was watching his new side go three up in the first half.

Eustace was appointed Rovers boss on Friday and will lead the team for the first time against... Birmingham on Tuesday. Blues are of course now managed by former Blackburn gaffer Tony Mowbray. Football, eh?

Keep your thoughts coming to us using #bbcefl on X.

Image source, Getty Images

West Brom's draw against Ipswich was marred by injuries to Kyle Bartley and Daryl Dike, the latter of which left the field in tears.

Bartley suffered a calf injury and was forced off at half-time, having gone to ground shortly before the whistle, while Dike's injury is likely to be to his Achilles.

The US international has had terrible luck with injuries since arriving at The Hawthorns and could be set for another extended spell on the sidelines.

"Losing Kyle Bartley was a big blow. He had a pull in the calf, which we need to scan," Baggies boss Carlos Corberan told BBC Radio WM.

"But the more serious one was losing Daryl Dike. A big blow that we should lose him again. It's too early to know how long. It may be the same type of injury, hopefully less. It is an Achilles but in the different foot. We need to have the scan first."

Image source, PA Media

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna was pleased with the resolve his side showed as they came from behind twice to rescue a point against West Brom.

In the end, the Tractor Boys were unfortunate not to find a winner after eight minutes of injury time were added on in the aftermath of Daryl Dike's injury.

"We can be so proud of so many things, on and off the field, but we've given that a real good go," he told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"Against a team like West Brom, with the quality and experience they have, it's not easy to produce a performance like that. But it was a great game to be involved in. Going 2-1 behind was undeserved on the run of play.

"And, if if we had got the winner at the end, we'd have been talking about a Portman Road classic."

Matty Fryatt
Former Leicester City striker on Radio Leicester

Image source, Rex Features

Near the end of the game it did get needly. There were altercations on the pitch. That's a massive result, Watford are a good team.

Everyone's buying into Enzo Maresca's way, the players... why wouldn't you want to play in this team? These are special days and they all add up.

There was that fight, that togetherness, that determination. That winners' mentality. The last 20 minutes wasn't a pretty game to watch. Watford made it difficult.

Image source, Getty Images

As a famous chef, BBC TV presenter and football club administrator once said "where are you? Let's be having you!"

We'd love to hear your thoughts on all things EFL, and especially all things Championship-y, and you can do so by using #bbcefl on X.

Image source, Rex Features

All the action for the day is done but do stick with us* as we look to bring you reaction from the managers and pundits from today's second tier games.

You can also read reports from all 10 games played in the Championship today by clicking here.

*You don't have to constantly stay with us, I know you've got other things on.

It's as you were in the top three as Leicester, Southampton and Leeds all secure important wins.

Leicester looked for most of the afternoon to be heading further clear as they eased to a 12th away win at Watford, while the Saints trailed for much of their home clash with strugglers Huddersfield.

But they fought back to secure an extraordinary 5-3 win and stay 11 points back with a game in hand, and a point clear of Leeds who brushed aside bottom side Rotherham 3-0.

Sunderland's second-half comeback win over Plymouth fires them into the final play-off spot, displacing Hull who slipped to a shock home defeat to Swansea.

And Preston's win at Cardiff moved them within a couple of points of the top six.

Image source, BBC Sport

This is how things look in the bottom 10 places in the Championship after today's action.

Swansea's win at Hull means they move up to 16th position and seven points off the bottom three, in addition to Blackburn who impressed newly-appointed boss John Eustace with a thumping 3-1 win over Stoke.

Stoke are just three points off the drop zone following their defeat at Ewood Park while Millwall drop to 18th despite not playing today.

Rotherham's misery was compounded as they were defeated by Leeds while QPR's draw with Norwich keeps them in the hunt for survival.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

• Second-placed Southampton come from behind to beat Huddersfield 5-3 and stretch unbeaten run to 25 games
• Leaders Leicester win at Watford to stay 11 points clear at the top
• Leeds ease past Rotherham, Blackburn beat fellow strugglers Stoke
• Wins for Preston, Swansea, Bristol City & Sunderland
• QPR and Norwich draw in topsy-turvy game
• Ipswich twice come from behind to draw with West Brom in early game